First Quarter Hip-Hop Awards

We are a little over a quarter of the way through 2009 and already there has been an influx of hip-hop music flooding the internet and record stores. I have decided to pass out awards for my favorite mixtapes and albums so far in 2009. Let's begin.

Best Mixtape: Drake-So Far Gone
How this kid did not grace the cover of XXL's Freshmen of 2009 issue is beyond me. Ace Hood was on there but not Drake? Really? Anyway, Drake is one of the most unique artists to step into the hip-hop game. The Toronto native mixes deft wordplay with smooth vocals, and whether he is crooning to the thousands of women that will soon be in love with him or spitting some hard shit for the fellas, Drake remains one of the most talented artists I have ever heard. So Far Gone finds him bodying Lil' Wayne on a few tracks and singing right along with guests such as Omarion and Lloyd. Now in the studio working with Jay-Z and Jus Blaze, his debut album is sure to be one to remember.

Runners Up: Big Sean-UKnowBigSean, J.Period-J. Period Presents The (Abstract) Best, The Kickdrums-Smash The System

Best Album: Joe Budden-Padded Room
I think Joe Budden shocked a lot of people with how lyrically sick and deep his 2009 album, "Padded Room," was. From speaking about a girl that torments him every day and night to taking a serious look at his life, Jumpoff really goes in and lyrically is miles ahead of the majority of MCs spitting right now. Now the whole word cannot wait for the SlaughterHouse album coming this summer, as Joey has compiled four of the illest MCs into one group.

Runners up: K'naan-Troubadour, Curren$y-This Ain't No Mixtape, Saigon-All In A Day's Work

Most Slept On (Tie): MIMS-Guilt, Cunninlyguists-Strange Journey Vol. 1, Curren$y-This Ain't No Mixtape
I think MIMS definitely wins here just because of his mainstream appeal. People do not really know about Curren$y or Cunninlyguists yet because they are still very underground, even though they have both been around for years. But MIMS put out a quality album in "Guilt," and while every track may not be unbelievable, and his is definitely not the best lyricist, the CD has a lot of really good tracks on it. MIMS talks about how much his mother means to him and how he feels guilty about being a fake on his first CD, realness we don't see from mainstream rappers ever these days. Curren$y's new CD is a gem, and although he does talking about smoking weed a ton (because he does it a lot) he is another guy spitting about real life. And if you do not have "Strange Journey Vol. 1" then you are missing out on a collection of amazing beats and dope lyrics. Don't sleep on these CDs!

Most Disappointing: Asher Roth-Asleep In The Bread Aisle
Now, this award does not mean it was a bad CD. In fact, I like Asleep in the Bread Aisle. But it could have been so much better. Musically, the CD is amazing. As I stated before in my review, Oren Yoel's production on Asher's debut is top notch. But lyrically, Asher does not consistently bring it, and if he was spitting like he was on his mixtape, "Asleep In The Bread Aisle," may be one of the best hip-hop debuts to come out. Knowing the lyrical talent of Asher, his performance on his freshman CD is quite underwhelming.
Runner Up: Common-Universal Mind Control

These awards are based on music I downloaded and have listened to, if there are CDs I have missed (like Jadakiss' "Last Kiss") then please let me know!